Other conditions decisions — 2006

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the veteran's current keratosis pilaris and his service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for metastatic carcinoid cancer of the intestine and liver, and by extending the benefit of doubt to the veteran, finds that his disability is due to disease or injury incurred in service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss, cardiovascular disease, gout, and respiratory disorder (shortness of breath) are denied. The cases are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes and interests. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31 of Title 38, United States Code.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and for accrued benefits due to an earlier effective date for PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the veteran's cause of death (hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease) or his gastrointestinal bleed (duodenal ulcer) to service, nor did it find any evidence supporting a secondary relationship between PTSD and these conditions.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development of the claim, including obtaining relevant VA and SSA records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for multiple joint arthritis is denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing a link between his current symptoms and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an examination to determine if the veteran's current vestibulitis is related to his military service. The claim will be reconsidered based on all evidence.

The Board dismissed the appellant's claim for an apportionment of the veteran's VA nonservice-connected disability pension benefits on behalf of his minor child, A.S.G., as it was not timely filed.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's residuals of a gunshot wound to the scrotum, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's dysthymia is due to disease or injury incurred in service, and by extending the benefit of doubt to the veteran, service connection for dysthymia is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric disorder was likely caused by a vascular event during a procedure at a VA facility in 1998, but did not result from carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar fault on the part of the VA. The result was the ordinary risk of the treatment provided.

The veteran's death was caused by frontotemporal dementia, which is not service-connected. The Board found no evidence of exposure to toxins in service and denied the claim for service connection based on this lack of evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's missing teeth are replaceable and do not meet the criteria for service connection due to periodontal disease, as they have been replaced by suitable prosthesis. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for congestive heart failure secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including a new examination to determine the current severity of PTSD and whether memory loss is due to an undiagnosed illness or a separate disability.

The veteran's income exceeds the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) for his situation, resulting in denial of improved disability pension benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right arm disability and loss of vision. The denial is based on the lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease, as well as no current disability related to service.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for hammer toe deformity of the right foot was dismissed as his timely substantive appeal was not received.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected gunshot wound, left thigh, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.